Since the images of armed police forcing a woman to remove her burkini on a beach in the south of France emerged, the world has reacted in shock.

The photos show at least four officers standing over a woman who was resting on the sand. After they arrive, she removes a long-sleeved tunic and one of the officers appears to issue an on-the-spot fine.

The move comes as part of a controversial ban on the full body swimsuit, claiming that it would help to liberate women from oppressive religious dress codes and help integration, Indy100 reports.